7 states that could legalize gay marriage next: New Jersey, Minnesota and others

Coming off successful measures legalizing gay marriage in Maine, Maryland and Washington, gay rights activists are targeting Oregon and Hawaii in the West, Minnesota and Illinois in the Midwest and New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island in the Northeast.

Storified by Digital First Media · Wed, Nov 21 2012 10:58:59

States in the West, Midwest and Northeastwill be the next battlegrounds for same-sex marriage.

Here’s a look at fiveupcoming battlegrounds:

Oregon

With Washington state as a neighbor, Oregon may feel more pressure toapprove gay marriage.

The state House’s Democratic leader, Tina Kotek, is openly gay, andDemocrats have regained control of the legislature, two promising signs forsame-sex marriage activists.

In 2004, Oregon voters approved Measure 36, which amended thestate constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman. In 2007, the statelegislature approved domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Kotek, who is next in line to become the speaker, told the Oregonian“having wins in other states is the momentum we needed.”

New Jersey

New Jersey came close to passing a law in favor of gay marriage earlier this year, but Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the bill.

Now activists are focused ongetting the two-thirds majority in the state legislature to override his veto.

Christie has argued the issue should be put on the ballot as a referendum, but lawmakers in favor of gaymarriage, including Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), oppose that move because they think it could fail.

Some gay marriage groups, such as Freedom to Marry, also oppose ballot measures because they think the rights of a minority should not be put up to a vote.

Illinois

Denverpost

President Obama speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House on March 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Now that President Obama has endorsed same-sex marriage, activists are taking a fresh look at his home state.